The two sides of gold. | Meryl Davis | TEDxNaperville

Some of the biggest challenges elite athletes face away from the camera and crowds. Meryl shares one of those that you not only never have seen, but probably don't even know about.
National, World, and Olympic Champion Ice Dancer, World Record Holder & Winner of the 18th Season of Dancing with the Stars
Born and raised in Michigan, Meryl began skating at age five on a local lake in the winter, eventually leading to a highly successful career in ice dancing. Davis and her partner, Charlie White, teamed up in 1997 and are currently the longest lasting dance team in the United States. They are the first American ice dancers to win the National, World, and Olympic Champion Ice Dancer, World Record Holder & Winner of the 18th Season of Dancing with the Stars
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@JohnKCoyleTheArtofReallyLiving]

Great talk by an amazing woman. I once asked Meryl if she could choose to have dyslexia or not.. the answer was "I wouldn't have a gold medal without it..." Often our weaknesses are also our superpowers...

[@cdnsoul5808]

When Meryl competed in DWTS, I watched her all the way and she was one of the very few that truly won the mirror ball. She carried Max along, she inspired him and she got him the only trophy he ever won. Yes she learned the steps from him but afterwards she expressed those to the sound of the music which transported her into another world. Petite, frail and afraid, she became the tower of strength needed to win the mirror ball and, to me, that makes her a true champion.

[@starsmoon0216]

Meryl is such an inspiration. She is so down to earth and classy. She is a gold medalist in life!!!

[@khushbushah7003]

starsmoon0216 so true!!

[@erinpeacexo1854]

She's so incredibly humble and and inspirational. I see two assholes gave this a thumbs down? I guess those people have their heads up their asses. How could ANYONE give this gracious and articulate young woman who told the world about her struggles to help others put her down. SHAME ON YOU TWO PEOPLE!!!

[@starsmoon0216]

Agreed. How could anyone who is so inspirational give this video a thumbs down??? Two idiots whoever you are!!!!!!

[@MaryAnderson-x9j]

Always has to be someone.

[@MaryAnderson-x9j]

All I see is an amazing woman who was blessed with an amazing partner to skate with

[@onapostivenotesecondeditio4213]

Meryl is so inspiring . She is an amazing athlete and what a courageous young woman.

[@dhruw9935]

Her voice is so magical.

[@sandytyson7101]

what a role model!!!

[@ezgipak5783]

She is a real real athlete.

[@claudiasadro8429]

This is truly an inspiring speech. She is a beautiful speaker in addition to being a wonderful figure skater and dancer.

[@phantomx3.0]

She's such an amazing role model and an inspiration! I can definitely relate; when I was younger learning was such a struggle and I had to go the extra mile just to keep up.

[@shradhapatel3039]

How could anyone unlike this video

[@kifahhassan5702]

She's so well spoken, I love this

[@debrastevenson709]

This was so inspirational and just amazing! What a class act of a woman she has become thru it all! I wonder when she was on DWTS if Max knew she was dyslexic because there were many time he became so impatient and frustrated as he was teaching the dance steps.

[@lifelessonsinsportsthirded4164]

Meryl is an amazing Person oh my goodness I love her. She is an incredible athlete .

[@MaryAnderson-x9j]

But how great a person was Charlie. The work he did to support her. What a tremendous accomplishment

[@carlgrimeseyepatch27]

This just shows despite your weaknesses you can still be great if you just go for it (cliche but true!)

[@noree1111]

Way to go Meryl'! You are indeed a winner in the truest sense of the word! I pray you and Charlie will come back and compete for 2018 because you are the best and we miss you guys!

[@dannistyle6399]

+nor az I love Meryl Davis. She is truly a hero. How many people would stand up on a stage and share their story so sincerely. She touched my heart by her story.

[@suzannewagner852]

I'm inspired by Meryl and in love with Charlie.... 💖💖💖💖

[@Marielb05]

I love her💗

[@kaylaeastty5828]

Thank you for doing this Meryl Davis! I myself have dyslexia and I have the same type you do. Everyone thinks of switching letters around, but that is not everyone’s story with dyslexia. It is brave to put yourself out there

[@TheToonses1]

Thank you Meryl…

[@sendoghylander]

this is awesome

[@sitakarntawisuwan5860]

Your my inspiration about ice sketch. I watched very clip of you on KZbin very beautiful

[@pedinurse1]

WOW and here she is a world olympic champion, so who needs homework and school

[@carolglen2965]

🌹🌹🌹⭐️

[@sonia68ish]

I wonder how it feels to win a gold they did not deserve. The judges were in cahoots to help Russia win team gold so this team would win gold they were not the best by far

[@debrastevenson709]

Well clearly you are entitled to YOUR opinion, but thank God the judges saw differently and awarded them the Gold they so deserved (my opinion). Actually I felt they should have won gold in 2010 but it would have been an outright riot in the home town of V/M! Again my opinion!!

[@FK_loving]

1) Same question. How does it feel for VM to win a gold medal which belongs to French? But for the dress problem French would have won short progtam too. 2) In 2014 Team Russia won gold without any help, you should count better. 3) If any Russian helped Charlie and Meryl to win it was their coach Marina Zueva. To me their are so much better than boring VM. I''ll tell more Russian pair was more interesting than VM and deserved silver. Meryl and Charlie were so much supreme than your VM or anyone. 4) If Meryl and Charlie bought judges they must have done it for 2 years because they didnt lose a single competition before Olympics during 2 years. 5) Say thank you Meryl and Charlie left after 2014. Otherwise they would have won another gold in 2018.

[@MaryAnderson-x9j]

Why would you even bring that up? They have no control over the judging

[@fatimabeirao4714]

@@debrastevenson709 Oh please! Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir were completely stunning and magnificent in all their performances in the Olympic Games 2010 , not forgetting their fabulous Spanish Flamengo in Original Dance. Tessa and Scott danced with very elegant and well-defined movements, and in full connection with each other and with the music they danced to, and masterfully choreographing their musical performances, characteristics that greatly enhanced all their performances.

[@rosett3487]

What an inspiration - and who knew this was her story. I hope she follows this talk up with a talk about her experience on Dancing With The Stars. Her dancing was so beautiful!

[@architkumarsood9373]

Very nice!! So inspirational. You are amazing!

[@Usagi.moon.power.]

Such a wonderful soul ❤

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

Classy lady. I hope she works with children.

[@takeaguess08]

How come the original clip of this was taken down and re-uploaded?🤔

[@llorenspanell.s.l.aguilera1393]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AAldag]

Amazing, just amazing.

[@floofyfatfrost4407]

I wish I had "the ice", where what I was born as can't define me.... This so inspirational